Disclaimer: no, I don't own many of them, but I do won Erin and Rick.

Note: how long will the friendship deal last? Start making your bets.

The party was definitely a success. Everybody dancing, drinking, and as the clock ticked, Joey was getting more and more nervous. And where was Audrey? She was supposed to get there like an hour ago. Oh, God, what was she thinking when she agreed to go on that stage to sing? She looked to the drink she had on her hand, but getting drunk was not the solution for it. She didn't even noticed Rick coming near her.

"Joey? We have to go now" He whispered to her.

She gave him a weak smile, drinking in one big gulp whatever she had and followed him.

Pacey looked at her, worried. He could sense Joey was nervous and anxious about something, but he couldn't figure out what was. And then she left, with that Rick guy, after drinking all that alcohol…He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, PJ"

"Erin? I thought you weren't coming…" He turned around surprised.

"You thought I was going to stay at home, crying for you?"

"No, I'm just surprised, just that…" He tried to smile, sensing something would come wrong tonight.

Joey turned her head to the spot where she knew Pacey was, just in time to see him talking to Erin. Oh, that girl, how could she have forgotten about that annoying girl who was attached to him lately? She turned to Rick, whispering something to him.

"Josie, are you sure you wanna do this?" He seemed very surprised by her suggestion.

"Pretty sure, Rick. Now let's rock this party…"

"Great party, Jen, great party…"

"Jack, what you're really finding great are all the gorgeous guys we have here tonight…"

"I'm not blind, I'm single, I can at least look at some cute asses…"

"Did I hear someone mention cute asses?" Pacey mocks.

"Pacey, your modesty shocks me. Hi, Erin, are you fine?"

"I'm fine, and when the big show starts, Jen?"

"I don't know, gotta ask Charlie. There he comes."

Charlie leaned down and whispered something in Jen's ear, making her laugh. She kissed him shouting a good luck as he headed towards the stage. She pulled Jack aside, leaving Pacey and Erin confused, and then coming back smiling mischievously. Then Jack noticed Audrey arriving with company.

"Uh-oh, big trouble at nine o'clock."

"What, Jack?" Jen tried to take a peek over the crowd when she noticed who was with Audrey."

"That's so not good…"

"What is not good, Jen?'

Before Jen could answer, Audrey reached them on her usual loud way, dragging Dawson with her.

"Hey, Jenny Jen, Jackers, look who I found…"

"Dawson? Good to see you, man." Jack hugs him, while Jen grabbed Audrey's hand.

"Audrey, what the hell is Dawson doing here?"

"He showed up at the dorm, looking for Bunny, I brought him here, I thought he was your friend."

"Audrey, he is the guy who caused the troubles between Pacey and Joey…"

"It was not a good idea, so?"

Jen rolled her eyes and the joined the group again, feeling the tense situation they had left Jack. Pacey still hadn't spoken a word to Dawson, they were ignoring each other, when Pacey asked:

"Jen, where is Joey, I saw her leaving with Charlie's friend, and no signs of her yet."

Before Jen could answer, she saw all the guys on the stage, except Joey.

"The show is going to start." She told them, relieved that she wouldn't have to lie about where Joey was.

Dawson looked at his former best friend talking to the pretty brunette he had by his side. She sure looked like a girlfriend, so he didn't have to worry; Pacey would not be an issue to his moves on Joey.

The lights on the stage were turned off, the first accords of music were being heard, when they heard a voice coming from somewhere in the crowd.

How can you see into my eyes like open doors
Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb
Without a soul
My spirit sleeping somewhere cold
Until you find it there and lead it...., back home

That voice…Pacey looked down at the beer he had in hand, no, he wasn't that drunk, but it sure sounded like Joey's voice.  He turned his head to where the voice was coming, and he saw her, microphone in hand, singing, walking towards the stage, the lyrics going inside his mind. His friends looking with no surprise in their eyes, the only one as shocked as him was Dawson.
(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become


 She couldn't believe she was doing this. She couldn't see Pacey's face, but she felt he was shocked. She kept walking, her destination closer now.


Now that I know what I'm without
You can't just leave me
Breathe into me and make me real
Bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life


Pacey felt her approaching, she was getting nearer him. He was still amazed she was doing all that; he was listening to each word she sang, feeling them in his heart.


(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch,
Without your love, darling
Only you are the life among the dead

All this time I can't believe I couldn't see
Kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems
Got to open my eyes to everything
Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul


She stopped in front of him, looking inside his blue eyes, knowing that he was the only one understanding what she was trying to say, as she whispered with the song.

Don't let me die here
(There must be something more!)
Bring me to life

She turned her back, now finally going to the stage, without even noticing Dawson was there too.

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can't wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
Call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
Bid my blood to run
(I can't wake up)
Before I come undone
(Save me)
Save me from the nothing I've become
Bring me to life

I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside!!
Bring me to life
Bring me to life

Pacey couldn't let his gaze off her; she never looked so beautiful and sure of herself, not noticing the angry looks Dawson was giving him. All he could see was Joey, his Joey.